NZ swine flu toll reaches 16

A woman who died in an Auckland hospital last week has been confirmed as New Zealand's 16th swine flu victim.

The Ministry of Health (MOH) said although the Waikato woman had suffered underlying medical conditions, her case would be counted among those where the H1N1 virus was deemed the primary cause of death.

There were other deaths also under investigation by the coroner, the ministry said.

More than 3000 people have tested positive for swine flu, but the number of those infected is much higher as most people do not require medical treatment.

- NZPA